Welcome back to The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast with your hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell! This episode dives deep into the heartfelt and iconic Rain Man (1988). From its award-winning performances by Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise to its unique road trip narrative, we revisit this Best Picture Oscar winner to see how it holds up through modern eyes. Prepare for thoughtful discussions, behind-the-scenes stories, and a whole lot of 80s nostalgia!

PLUS! This is the last episode of this season... surprise! Ha ha. We are about to take a short break like we did last year in February and March, but this year we will have some exciting REBROADCAST episodes for you while you wait for fresh new Most Excellent 80s episodes to come at you on April 2nd!

Key Takeaways:

• Unlikely Brotherly Bond: At its core, Rain Man is a moving story about connection, empathy, and personal growth. Tom Cruise’s Charlie starts as a self-absorbed car dealer but evolves into a compassionate brother through his relationship with Raymond, an autistic savant played brilliantly by Dustin Hoffman. Their cross-country journey is filled with moments of tension, hilarity, and tenderness.
• Groundbreaking Representation: We explore the portrayal of autism in Rain Man—its impact on audiences and the conversations it sparked about neurodiversity. While Hoffman’s depiction of Raymond remains a cultural touchpoint, we also critique its limitations and the trope of the "magical savant."
• Road Trips, Rainstorms, and Redemption: The road trip format mirrors the internal transformation of its characters. Each pit stop—from counting cards in Las Vegas to intimate revelations about their shared past—brings the brothers closer together and pushes Charlie toward redemption.
• Cultural and Industry Context: Krissy and Nathan reminisce about the 80s as an era when heartfelt dramas like Rain Man dominated the box office—a stark contrast to today’s blockbuster-driven landscape. They also dive into fun facts, like how Steven Spielberg was originally slated to direct and the impact of the film’s soundtrack.

Other Topics Covered:

• Why Tom Cruise’s punchable 80s charm was perfect for this role.
• Valeria Golino’s standout performance as Charlie’s compassionate girlfriend.
• The nostalgic quirks of 80s filmmaking, from trailers to iconic soundtracks.
• A candid discussion on the ethics of actors portraying characters with disabilities.
• Memorable scenes, like the "toothpick count" and the tender dancing lesson.
• How Rain Man influenced future films and pop culture references (even The Hangover!).

Deep Cut Recommendations:

Krissy suggests The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt for its Rain Man homage and quirky humor. Nathan recommends E.T. for its focus on empathy and unlikely friendships.

Thank you for joining us on this heartfelt ride through Rain Man! Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the analysis, or just to party on with us, we’re glad you’re along for the journey. Don’t forget to like, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Keep the most excellent 80s movies motto in mind: Be excellent to each other and party on, dudes!

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Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell as they dive deep into one of the most bewildering teen films of the 1980s - Dream a Little Dream (1989). This surreal body-swap comedy starring the two Coreys (Feldman and Haim) alongside veteran actors Jason Robards and Piper Laurie proves to be a fascinating mess of metaphysical poetry, teen romance, and inexplicable violence.

Following a recommendation from previous guest Corey Feldman himself, our hosts unpack this peculiar film where an elderly couple's meditation experiment goes wrong, causing Jason Robards' consciousness to become trapped in Corey Feldman's teenage body. What follows is a two-hour journey filled with Michael Jackson dance numbers, cryptic dream sequences, and a surprisingly dark subplot involving an unhinged boyfriend with a gun.

The hosts discuss how the film's attempt to blend spiritual themes with teen comedy creates a confusing narrative that never quite comes together. They note how Corey Haim's character wasn't even in the original script, yet his improvised scenes end up being some of the most entertaining moments in the film. The podcast also explores the movie's bizarre editing choices, unnecessarily long runtime, and its struggle to maintain coherent character motivations.

Key topics covered:

• The unusual chemistry between Jason Robards and Corey Feldman
• Corey Haim's last-minute addition to the cast and his real-life broken leg
• The film's confusing dream logic and metaphysical elements
• Questionable subplot involving drugged teenagers and gun violence
• Extended Michael Jackson-inspired dance sequences
• The movie's marketing focus on "The Two Coreys" despite Haim's minimal role
• Discussion of the 1995 sequel Dream a Little Dream 2
• Comparison to other body-swap films like Freaky (2020)

In their final assessment, Krissy and Nathan rate the film three and four "broken legs" out of ten respectively, acknowledging its flaws while maintaining respect for the ambitious if misguided attempt to create something unique in the teen movie genre. While Dream a Little Dream may not be "so bad it's good," it certainly provides plenty of material for discussion and bewilderment.

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Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell with special guest Alice Baker as they roundhouse kick their way through Barry Gordy's 1985 martial arts musical mashup The Last Dragon. This cult classic blends kung fu action, Motown music, and 80s pop culture into a unique cinematic experience that defies traditional genre boundaries.

The hosts dive deep into the film's peculiar plot, following Leroy Green's quest to achieve "the glow" while navigating between two outrageous villains: the flamboyant Sho'nuff (played brilliantly by Julius Carry) and the unhinged video game mogul Eddie Arcadian. The discussion highlights how the movie, despite being a critical failure, became a beloved cultural touchstone, particularly in the Black community, spawning memorable catchphrases and iconic scenes.

The episode reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes details, including how the film nearly missed securing Bruce Lee footage rights and lost 40 pages of script in a fortunate accident that actually helped streamline the final cut. The hosts also explore the impressive Motown soundtrack, featuring collaborations with legendary musicians, though they agree some of the songs haven't aged as gracefully as others.

Key Topics Covered:

• Early career appearances by William H. Macy and Chazz Palminteri
• The impressive roster of actors who almost played Leroy, including Denzel Washington and Lawrence Fishburne
• Vanity's decision to choose this film over Purple Rain
• The cultural mixing of various martial arts styles and traditions
• The film's innovative blend of music video aesthetics with martial arts action
• Notable fight choreography by Robert van Cleef
• Young Ernie Reyes Jr.'s scene-stealing performance
• The movie's influence on future films, including possible Matrix connections
• Varying audience reactions and the film's revival screening appeal

Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering this unique piece of 80s cinema for the first time, this episode offers an entertaining deep dive into a film that perfectly encapsulates the decade's excess, style, and charm. The hosts rate it between 6-7 out of 10, agreeing that while the plot may meander, the entertainment value, particularly when watched with friends, makes it a worthwhile viewing experience.

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We couldn't do this without your support of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Thank you!
Join now for: $5/Month • $55/year • Learn More